Octtober 6, 2009 -- Aston Hotels and Resorts yesterday added resort properties in Lake Tahoe, Calif., and Sun Valley, Idaho, to the group of Hawai'i hotel and condominium resorts the company already manages.

The Waikiki-based company said the Lakeland Village Beach and Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe and a collection of properties in Sun Valley represent the start of Mainland expansion.

With appeal as both winter and summer vacation destinations, the hotels offered a chance to diversify, said Aston Hotels and Resorts president Kelvin Bloom.

Bloom said most of Aston's guests come from areas west of the Rockies and these resorts can offer skiing in winter and swimming in summer. And the Lake Tahoe location is just a short distance from legalized gambling in Nevada, with added appeal to Hawai'i's Las Vegas-loving travelers.

"These are great destinations for Hawai'i residents as well," Bloom said, with some guests preferring the scenic area with access to gambling over the more over-the-top experience of Las Vegas.

"Aston at Lakeland Village and Aston Hotels and Resorts Sun Valley, two all-season resorts in the heart of ski country, complement our portfolio of 25 Hawai'i hotels and condominium resorts and offer our customers another facet of destination travel: mountain resorts," he said.

Bloom said to expect further expansion in the coming months.

The company celebrated its 61st year in the hospitality industry this year as one of the state's largest hotel and condominium resort management companies. Like others, it has struggled with the current economic downturn and this year went back to its original brand name of Aston after four years as ResortQuest.

Aston's Hawai'i properties range from boutique hotels and plantation cottages to newer hotels and condominium resorts; from economy through mid-range and luxury accommodations.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at [email protected].

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